Anyone who upgraded from an 80 have regrets?

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dclee said:
Why would I be jealous? (Hint: read my sig line.) :flipoff2:




dclee...this wasn't aimed at you but a facetious statement for the proud/vocal 80 series only owner referred to by one of the above thread authors.
 
alaskacruiser said:
Landcruiser purists don't like the 100 for a lot of reasons not relating to the whole $$$ truck -> wheeler transition every rig goes through as it ages:

8. A much larger percentage of 100s are driven by status-conscious soccer moms/dads who were just "too good" for a minivan, which would have been the safer / more practical choice for "wheeling" their kids to the Starbucks and soccer games.



Gotta tell ya...I see significantly more 80's being driven around town in stock form than any that might have the look of being wheeled on the weekends. And a dissproportionate number of these drivers are female with kids in tow...

Don't think this is just a 100 phenomenon.
 
alaskacruiser said:
Landcruiser purists don't like the 100 for a lot of reasons not relating to the whole $$$ truck -> wheeler transition every rig goes through as it ages:

1. It's less reliable than the 80 (HG vs. front end, TPS, torsion bars, exhaust manifolds, AHC, etc. etc.)

2. It has a weaker front end (whether it is cracked torsion bars, CV Joints, or front diffs, it's weaker period)

3. It has a weaker rear end (SF vs. FF)

4. It has no lockers (latest models) or rear only

5. It has bland styling compared to all previous Landcruisers, which actually had some character

6. It has much less than half the lifetime on water pumps and timing belts (timing chains + 80s water pumps routinely go to 250-300k+, BTW)

7. Limited front wheel travel (IFS)

8. A much larger percentage of 100s are driven by status-conscious soccer moms/dads who were just "too good" for a minivan, which would have been the safer / more practical choice for "wheeling" their kids to the Starbucks and soccer games.

In the words of the head of a *very* well-known LC shop here in SoCal: "what are my thoughts on the 100? It's a great station wagon!" He also said he thought they were less reliable than 80s considering what he'd seen in his shop- he sees mostly wheeled rigs, and said the 100 just can't stand up to the abuse like an 80 can.


80's are really nice I loved my 95 FZJ80, I also love my 99 100 series :) I'm not a rock crawler, if I was I would get a purpose built vehicle for that activity. Love the looks or the FJ40's would like to own a like new one with air and power steering but then I would hate to take it down anything more then a dirt road so I wouldn't screw it up. I think people should get what works for them and enjoy.
 
so, back to the original post - no regrets, right? ;)
 
If I could only keep one, it would be the 80, but I might have to get a divorce, as the wife would want to keep the 100. ;)
 
dclee said:
In my opinion, for the OE configuration of the truck right off the showroom floor, the 80s brakes are as competent or more so than any other full-size SUV of the same time period.

***You must not have driven only one SUV during that time period. :D

show me your Mechanical or Materials Engineering degree from even a mid-tier school, and that you have the equivalent technical knowledge as a Toyota brake system engineer that would allow you to make such statements without me just laughing.

***It's not rocket science to tell that the 80's brakes suck! It's also unforegivable on a truck designed for expo travel across the globe...weight, tires, etc..

which means it is my divine right to have magazine articles written about my Land Cruiser genius.

***Sorry to tell you Derek....the magazine writers came to me. Hate them if you wish. I think one's about to call you to do an article on your '04. They want to know how much better it is than Shotts's. :D

(Yes, I know you'll find some way to work the N74L mod into the conversation...)

***RIGHT ON BUDDY!

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:


BTW, for the record, I resisted for a long time moving up to the 100. Had two 80s for a while. The `97 Collectors Edition was pretty much stock and my wife drove it. The main reason we got the 100 was the increased safety for our new baby daughter (stability control, eight airbags, LATCH anchors in the center rear seat, car seat tether anchors behind the rear seats, etc.), and we refused to get a minivan (which admittedly would have been the best choice). We most certainly did NOT buy it for its wheeling prowess (though it is certainly capable). The lone remaining 80 was built for that stuff. Eventually I may scale down to a 1st gen 4Runner or something similar, but for now I need the cargo room of the 80 with still some decent crawling capability.

For its intended purpose (family-mobile, basecamp, and light-duty wheeling), it is perfect. Would I take it to the same places as the 80? No way!

***Excellent choice and focus on vehicle purpose. :beer:

N74L
N74L
N74L
:D :D
 
alaskacruiser said:
Landcruiser purists don't like the 100 for a lot of reasons not relating to the whole $$$ truck -> wheeler transition every rig goes through as it ages:

1. It's less reliable than the 80 (HG vs. front end, TPS, torsion bars, exhaust manifolds, AHC, etc. etc.)

***Hasn't been the case so far.

2. It has a weaker front end (whether it is cracked torsion bars, CV Joints, or front diffs, it's weaker period)

***Define weaker? Some parts are stronger and some are weaker.

3. It has a weaker rear end (SF vs. FF)

***Define weaker? Stronger R&P and thicker axles diameter, though not full floater

4. It has no lockers (latest models) or rear only

***So? ARB's are stronger than factorys. If you want the best you'll upgrade any how. Slee's explained this.


5. It has bland styling compared to all previous Landcruisers, which actually had some character

***In your and my wife's opinion. :D Not mine.

6. It has much less than half the lifetime on water pumps and timing belts (timing chains + 80s water pumps routinely go to 250-300k+, BTW)

***Overall reliability of the 100 is better than the 80 (first 5 years of owenership).

7. Limited front wheel travel (IFS)

***So? It's got enough to run 98% of the trails in the US including the Rubicon. Try again.

8. A much larger percentage of 100s are driven by status-conscious soccer moms/dads who were just "too good" for a minivan, which would have been the safer / more practical choice for "wheeling" their kids to the Starbucks and soccer games.

***Wake up! So were the 80;s when they were new. Your point as to how this makes the 80 better?

In the words of the head of a *very* well-known LC shop here in SoCal: "what are my thoughts on the 100? It's a great station wagon!" He also said he thought they were less reliable than 80s considering what he'd seen in his shop- he sees mostly wheeled rigs, and said the 100 just can't stand up to the abuse like an 80 can.



Any LC shop that would make that statement about the 100 shows their ignorance.
 
Imola Red said:
Now that the 80 series is older and people are buying them for more of an offroad/road car it's the "greatest off road vehicle" you would think from all the praise around here.

Sorry but it's not. It's a great hybrid of the two. JUST LIKE THE 100 SERIES.

"Oh but my solid axles get me places you can't go!!!" LIKE YOU REALLY DO IT THAT MUCH. Your 80 is a huge tank compared to the 40 series and heep's. Now there are "real" off road vehicles.

BUT quess what? They are a pain to drive on a daily basis. That's why people buy the 80 over a heep or a 40 series AND it's the reason why people now buy the 100 over the 80.

Damn if that isn't well said. :idea: :beer:

Hybrid? Great choice of words! :idea: :beer:

40's and Jeeps can do things off road that us 100 AND 80 owners only dream of. My god...a typical Jeep can run the Rubi FAR easier and MUCH quicker than a 6" lifted 80 ever will. The Cruisers are fricken' BOATS despite the LIVE AXLE (:D ) Why some can't admit that? :confused:
 
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sooo, about the regrets part, IMO:

- if you're going to do more offroad with the 100 than you did with the 80, yes you'll probably have regrets
- if you're going to do less offroad, no, you won't have any regrets
 
SWUtah said:
Based on your reasoning won't gears be a better solution then a chain? Won't expand like a chain and never needs to be changed? I think your mistaken about not many belts being changed. A lot of threads on this subject with several members going as long as 180K+ miles without changing their timing belt (not smart) I have not read where any member had a broken belt. Yes it needs to be maintained but that just becomes part of the cost of ownership for a smooth quiet running engine. Plus even though you have a chain you also have a water pump and will have to change it at around 180K miles.


Actually, you are correct, however since these are pretty much relegated to custom racing engines, I don't see a large supply of them out there where we could have a reasonable choice.

As I said about belts, I don't think many (or ANY) people have had belt problems on the 100 yet, they are too new, and because of their cost most owners tend to maintain them fairly well. But my only point was that with a chain, I really wouldn't have to worry about it. I personally don't see the advantage of a belt (except for quietness, but then I would have bought some other vehicle if that was my first concern). IMHO all it does is provide cash flow or cost savings for the manufacturer.
 
spressomon said:
dclee...this wasn't aimed at you but a facetious statement for the proud/vocal 80 series only owner referred to by one of the above thread authors.


Cool. :cheers:
 
ShottsUZJ100 said:
N74L
N74L
N74L
:D :D


ROTFLMAO!

We're all good John, I think we both tend to get a little incensed at times, but it's all good clean fun! :cheers:
 
ShottsUZJ100 said:
Damn if that isn't well said. :idea: :beer:

Hybrid? Great choice of words! :idea: :beer:

40's and Jeeps can do things off road that us 100 AND 80 owners only dream of. My god...a typical Jeep can run the Rubi FAR easier and MUCH quicker than a 6" lifted 80 ever will. The Cruisers are fricken' BOATS despite the LIVE AXLE (:D ) Why some can't admit that? :confused:


Yeah, but they can haul a boatload of gear and people while running the same trail, allow you to sleep inside your vehicle, and not tip over backwards on obstacles because you had to overload the roofrack of you SWB Heep because there was no room inside for your tent! :flipoff2:
 
alaskacruiser said:
1. It's less reliable than the 80 (HG vs. front end, TPS, torsion bars, exhaust manifolds, AHC, etc. etc.)
Alaska, just wondering, what is less reliable about the LC torsion bars? How many 100 owners have cracked their T-bars?

I prefer coil springs but I wouldn't say the T-bars are less reliable. I have heard of cracked t-bars on some other vehicles but those usually are progressive rate--where the bar varies in diameter. Actually, fixed rate T-bars are known to retain their spring rate longer (over time) than coil springs.
 
27 year veteran of the car business, 23 years as a parts manager and over 20 with Toyota.

NO way would I trade my 80 for a 100, PERIOD.


If the 80 never happened, the 100 would do.............;)
 
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Would probably trade my 92 80 with 3Fe for a 100.
Mostly due to the fact that it is gutless, gets 13 mg and doesn't have diff locks.

Do like the looks of the 80 though compared to a 100.

Of course if any current 100 owners want to trade for a slightly (ab)used 80

;)
 
Would you 80 owners trade your 80 for a 105?
 
All technical issues aside, I thought the 80 was silly looking when it first came out. I also thought that it was built for soccer moms and sipping coffee (so did everyone else I talked to). Now I think it looks RAD and very capable. When I saw the first 100, I thought the same thing all over again. I thought that all the way up until I bought it. Now I think it's the best looking thing out there. Of course, it helps that I'm behind the wheel. :cool:

My guess is that when the 100 has been around as long as the 80, people won't question it. I also think it's biggest handicap off road (other than size) is its sticker price. If it cost half the price, you'd see them all over every trail you've ever run!

Time will tell...
 
You've got to explain that one Dan.:popcorn:

cruiserdan said:
27 year veteran of the car business, 23 years as a parts manager and over 20 with Toyota.

NO way would I trade my 80 for a 100, PERIOD.


If the 80 never happened, the 100 would do.............;)
 

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